Atomizer



March 16, 1943.

H. c. wlT'r V ATOMIvZER -k Filed April 1, 1941 Patented Mar. 16, 1943 Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to atomizers, and more especially to pocket atomizers adapted for use in spraying liquids such as perfumes, germicides, and other materials.

The principal object of the invention is to improve atomizers and to provide a device which is of a compact and simple construction adapted for use as a pocket atomizer. Another object of the invention is to provide interchangeable liquid containers and to combine novel sealing means for such liquid containers' in a pocket atomizer. Another object of the invention is t combine, with a pocket atomizer casing, a bellows element arranged in a manner adapted to facilitate the insertion of refill units. Still another object o-f the invention is to provide a bellows construction which resists bulging or protruding of portions of the bellows over the edges of the casing as it is'collapsed or deflated, and which is further adapted to taking a desirably compacted position in a closed position of the atomizer casing. The invention also aims to provide a cheap, efficient and durable atomizing device which may be carried in the pocket and which dispenses liquid material in a very finely atomized state.

The nature of the invention and its objects will be more fully understood from the following description of the drawing, and discussion relating thereto.

In the accompanying drawing:

` Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the atomizer ofthe invention in an open position.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation further illustrating the atomizer in an open position. y

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central cross section of the atomizer in a closed position.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal central cross section of the device in an open position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail cross section.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a bellows member; and

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 4. f

In the construction shown, numeral I refers to a preferred embodiment of a casing employedv in making the atomizer of the invention. The casing is of a generally rectangular shape, having sides 2 within which is supported a platform 3. The platform 3 is provided with an aperture 4 which is adapted to receive therein a liquid container such as a bottle 5, which carries liquid desired to be dispensed in an atomized state from the casing. I6 denotes a. sealing member formed of cork, rubber or other'suitable material and preferably fixed at one side of the casing to tightly close the mouth of the container 5. Pivotally supported by means of a spring hinge 6 is a cover 1 which is adapted to close tightly over a flange portion 8 at the top edges of the casing I. The spring hinge 6 is adapted to normally support the cover 1 in an open extended position, such as that illustrated in Fig. 1. The cover however may be held in a closed position about the flange 8 by means of a fastening 9, which engages about a stud I0 at an outer side of the casing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. l

Also supported by the spring hinge 6 along one edge is a partition member I I, which is normally adapted to move with the cover 1 upwardly from the casingf thus providing for access to the aperture 4 in the platform 3 when it is desired to insert a liquid container` such as 5 therein. The partition I I is pivoted independently of the coverV and may be supported in a xed position relative to the casing by engaging a grooved strip I2 with aprojecting head I3 formed on the inner edge of the nange portion 8.

I4 refers generally to a bellows member which isrmly attached, as by adhesives, at one side of the cover 1 and further supported by a lip I5 which extends around the inner edges of the cover 1. The bellows is attached at its opposite side adjacent the partition I I and is further supported by means of an inwardly folded edge I1 of the partition member.

Since the cover 1 is normally adapted to be forced into an open position by the spring hinge 6, and since one side of the bellows I4 may be held in a xedposition on the partition I I in the casing, the bellows assumes an extended position when the fastening 9 is released. In this extended position as illustrated in Fig. 4, the bellows is in readiness to be compressed and force air outwardly therefrom. The bellows member I4 is preferably formed of a resilient material such as rubber, and is 'formed in a manner adapted to facilitate collapsing without the occurrence of bulging or protruding of its sides beyond the flanged edge 8 of the casing asthe cover member is compressed in operating the bellows.

The particular bellows construction referred to consists in opposite sides connected together by a flexible web portion which extends alternately inward in planes parallel to the sides, and then at right angles, to produce a series of inwardly receding steps I9 and 2D, which converge and are joined by connecting edge portions 2l. This inwardly receding stepped construction allows a suitable compressing action to be carried out and acts as a reinforcing to prevent any bulging or swelling out of web portions beyond the edges of the casing. The stepped web construction furnishes desirable ilexibility and durability, which facilitates movement of the cover and insures long life.

The stepped web portion is further useful in respect to its ability to compact upon itself in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3, in which it will be noted that the step portions 2D of one side of the web are adapted to nest against right angularly extending portions of the other side of the web. This allows the cover to be easily snapped down into place and to exert a compressing of air with` a minimum of resistance on the part of the compacted web.

At one side of the casing I, is formed a spray chamber 22 having an inlet 23 aboutwhichis mounted a connecting tube 24 formed at one side of the bellows I 4 and adapted to introduce air compressed by the bellows into the spray chamber as the cover I is closed. The spray chamber is further lprovided With an opening 25 thro-ugh which projectsa jetmemlOcI` 25,. The jet member 26 extendsrearwardly through one side of the casing andprojects `from ,the sealing member i6 ofthe container 5. Attached about the extrem.-

ity of the jet 2 6, or forming., a part thereof, is a,

flexible extension 2'I which is adapted to reach intolthe bottom of container 5.

The container- 5 isresiliently supported against the sealing member I6 by means of a, plate 29 and a spring 28. The spring 28 is disposed between the inner side of the case and the -plate 29 which in turn rests against the bottom of the container 5. Also extending through the sealing member I6 and projecting out of the spray chamber 22 is an airvent member 3i), which connectsy with the liquid container or bottle 5. 3l refers to a cover having,v a gasket 32 which is adapted to be snapped around the spray chamber 22 in sealed relation with the jet 26 to prevent the leakage of liquid material when the atomizer is -not in use.

. `In operation, a container, as 5, is inserted in theaperturell of the platform 3- with the partition I'I being disposed in a raised position. The

neck of the container is. tightly engaged around the sealing member 26, and resiliently held by the plate 29. lnkinstalling the bottle or other container, it should be noted that the flexible tubing 2'I allows thefcontainer to pass into the aperture in a somewhat angular position such as couldnot beefeoted if the tubular member were Qf rigid constructionl I -issnapped-inte a xed position in engagement with the projecting head HI;- The can 3| thrown back 'inte .a Vpcsiticn such as that illus- 'crateri .Fia :fi .and the device isr ready to disrensc'liqiiid material" `from the container in an atcmizedfforra 1.11. detail, the-air is compressedby the bellows ass ilotedabove, passing through theconneotineftiibe. 23 and thas-pray Chamber' 22 out: through the opening 25- ';Ihe-passaeeoi 4air past -theend 0r.- extremity 0ithe; iet` 26 retrieves liquid. from the container 5 through the jet 25 and the tube 2'I, and expels; itin an atomized state inthe well known manner.

An important feature of the invention is they culty maybeencountered from the bellowsprotrading or bulging beyond the` sides of the case.

Thereafter the partition The stepped formation of the web portion of the bellows acts as a reinforcement to resist any tendency of compressed air to bulge this web portion outwardly. Also, by arranging the web in an inwardly stepped manner, collapsing takes place at the central portion of the web and progresses outwardly, thus tending to fold the Web sides inwardly instead of outwardly. At the same time the stepped formation of the web portion facilitates a dovetailing or compacting of the web portions one with another at the time the bellows is closed, and this further increases the ease ofV operation of the atomizer.

Another feature of the invention is the arrangement 'of the bellows between supporting vSidesA which` are separate of the remainder of the atomizer casing. This serves to provide for the insertion of refill units in the casing and to greatly increase its use and desirability. In electing this result, the flexible tubing 24 of the bellows is particularly useful.

rStill another feature of the inventio-n is the particular arrangement of the bellows with a separate partition member which is pivoted independently-of the cover and which may be held in -a fixed position. The partition member in a closed or fastened position acts as a base for holding'one side of the bellows while the cover is thrown into an open position by the spring hinge 8, and extends the opposite side of the bellows. This automatically throws the bellows into an operative position.

The ycasing construction also includes a builtin sealing member, with which reiill liquid containers may be easily and quickly engaged, and resiliently held in a tight, sealed position. This construction, together with the arrangement of the liquid jet and airy passages noted, functions to present a novel combination of atomizing elements further increasing the compactness and ease ofoperation of the device, and particularly adapting it for use as a pocket atomizer with a relatively strong atomizingaction.

If desired, various other types of casings and covers may be employed in combination with the bellows member described, 'and other types of liquid containers and sealing members resorted to. Similarly, it may be desired to employ other types of bellows members than the stepped web form in combination with a swinging portion and a built-in sealing member for a rell liquid container. Various other changes may further be desired to be resorted to.

It is pointed outthat the combination of the bellows and casing has been carried out in a novel manner which is particularly simple and positive` and adapted to use in a ladys handbag to dispense perfumes or other liquids. The rell feature is--simplied and the 'use of a number of containers of liquid greatly enhances the value of the atomizer casing.

While have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be resorted to, in keeping with the spirit of the invention as dened by the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. An article of the character described comprising a casing, a cover hinged to the casing along one edge, a partition member pivotally supported with the cover at the said edge of the casing, means for holding said partition in a closed position in spaced relation to one side of the case, a platform located in said case having an aperture formed therein, a liquid container mounted in said platform aperture, sealing means for the liquid container located in one of the sides of the case and projecting inwardly into the said platform aperture, a spray chamber formed at one side of thecase, said spray chamber having an opening at one side thereof, a tubular member connecting with the liquid container and extending through the sealing member and out of the said opening, said tubular member hav- V.ing a flexible portion adapted to extend into the liquid container, an air vent element extending from the liquid container through the sealing member and spray chamber to a point outside of the case, a bellows member secured at one side to the said cover and at an opopsite side to the said partition, said spray chamber having an air inlet formed in one side thereof, a flexible tubing connecting the said bellows with the said air inlet, said bellows adapted to be compressed and force air through the spray chamber for the purpose of removing and atomizing liquid in the said liquid container, said bellows formed in the shape of a plurality of inwardly receding steps to provide a deflatable member which resists bulging with respect to the edges of the case when the cover is compressed.

2. An article of the character described comprising a casing, a cover for the casing, hinge means for attaching the cover to the casing, va spring associated with the hinge adapted to urge the cover into an open position, a partition member pivotally supported along one edge of the casing, said partition in a closed position of the cover occurring in spaced relation to one side cf the case to form an opening, a liquid container mounted in said opening, sealing means tor the liquid container located in one of the sides of the case, a spray chamber formed at one side of the casing, a tubular member extending from the liquid container through the sealing member and out of the spray chamber, a bellows secured between the partition and cover connected to the spray chamber, said bellows including a flexible body formed with inwardly stepped sides.

3. An article of the character described comprising a casing, atomizing means in said casing, a liquid container located adjacent with the atomizing means and supported in the casing, a cover supported at one edge of the casing, spring means adapted to normally maintain the cover in an open position, a vpartition member mounted in the casing adjacent'the liquid container, a bellows member mounted at one side of the said cover and at an opposite side on the said partition member, and said bellows member being connected to the said atomizing means.

4. An article of thevfcharacter described comprising a casing, a cover for the casing hinged thereto, spring means 4for urging the cover into an open position, a partition member associated with the cover. a bellows mounted between the partition and the cover, atomizing means located in the casing at a point adjacent the outlet of the bellows, a liquid container supported in the casing, a sealing member for the liquid container, said sealing member forming a part of the casing, a iiexible tubing extending from the sealing member into the liquid container, said iiexible tubing adapted to facilitate insertion and removal of the liquid container from the casing.

5. An article of the 'character described comprising a casing, atomizing means in the casing, a liquid container resiliently supported in the container adjacent the atomizing means, a cover hinged at one side of the casing, a partition associated with the cover, means for holding said partition in a closed position in the casing independently of the cover, a bellows member mounted at one side adjacent the partition and at thel opposite side adjacent the cover, said bellows in an open position of the cover adapted to occur in an extended position and thereafter to be compressed for the purpose of expelling air through the said atomizing means.

v6. As an article of manufacture, a casing, a cover for the casing hinged at one side thereof, a partition member associated with the cover, means for holding the partition in a fixed position in the casing, a bellows member mounted between the cover and the partition, atomizing means located at one side of the casing and being connected to the bellows, a platform located in the casing having an aperture therein, -a liquid container received in said aperture, sealing means for the liquid container and means for resiliently maintaining the liquid container against the sealing means.

HARRY C. WITT. 

